If you have been to Byron Bay you have no doubt also spent time at La La Land, the rowdy drinking den smack bang in the middle of town. But the after hours venue is now no more, the late night institution acquired by booming hospitality group (and largely Byron-based) The Three Blue Ducks.

While the news may be surprising given the crew’s reputation for brunch and breakfast fare, it seems the venue (the group’s fifth) marks a new direction. Dubbed Locura (Spanish for madness) the space will remain a late night offering, this time accompanied a pop-up kitchen focused on Latin American fare.

Locura is partly inspired by a trip to Mexico and LA recently undertaken by the Three Blue Ducks crew, a group that contains Darren Robertson, Andy Allen, Mark LaBrooy, Chris Sorrell, Sam Reid and Jeff Bennett. Their new found appreciation of Latin American cuisine inspired the group to offer their own slice of latin fare back in their hometown. The resulting menu veers across Mexico, Costa Rica and Peru when it comes to dishes, revolving largely around smaller plates. Think heaped piles of fried corn and chickpeas, oysters, ceviches, tacos and salads, accompanied by the all important array of hot sauces, rubs and salsas.

“We wanted to do something a little different this time around, and our trip to Mexico was super inspiring to learn more about the culture and food which was just crazy good,” explains Darren Robertson of the new venture. “The cuisine actually lends itself really well to our climate in Byron so it was a no brainer for us to focus on the cuisine.The menu will showcase plenty of seafood, and a couple of different tacos and salads all seasoned with salts and spices. We’ll have a whole bunch of fermented hot sauces, rubs and salsas we’re currently working on, as well as having a bit of fun with creating daily specials.”

Cocktails are also in ample supply (of course), designed by award-winning bartender Tim Phillips of Bulletin Place. The focus here is on ‘simple, fun, and fresh’ but sways away from the classic and towards the eclectic. Naturally mezcal features heavily, served as a mule topped with kombucha, alongside Mexican favourite Michelada, and homemade Tepache formed from fermented pineapple. there are also wines available for sipping, a collection of South American grapes mingling with organic local offerings. And then there’s beer to boot.

Not straying far from its nightclub roots, Locura will remain a haven for the nocturnal, as well as those eager to find extensive event space within Byron proper. The 350-capacity space has been styled with the minimalistic modern bars of Mexico City in mind, and has promised to uphold a strong focus on music.

Locura will open from 5.00pm this Thursday October 25.

Locura
6 Lawson Street, Byron Bay
Locura.com.au
@locurabyronbay